OTOH, they’re in a situation none of them could have predicted, including that exormagician or whatever he is. So, as to finding a way out, his voice should weigh the same as that of any of the others. (Not concerning the house, of course, but that’s a different matter.)

He was EMPLOYED by her, what he demanded was she pay her bill that she was totally going to stiff him on otherwise if she wanted more from him. He also has every right to question a complete stranger’s ability to lead them at the time. To him she was a complete stranger that hired him then said she was going to not pay him what she owed him, something that hardly gave him any reason to trust her. So no he has every right to speak up.

Yes, he has cause to speak up and question her authority. But given that he keeps charging her for every little bit of information I can see why she wants to push him aside if she thinks she can do better. He’s a mercenary jerk whose sole attitude up until now is getting paid. They have far more dire concerns right now than padding his wallet.

…Have I just dropped into a alternative universe comments forum where light hearted comments must be treated as extremely serious, with assumptions written in also?

And yes I’m perfectly fine with Alex robbing anyone notthat said that but if that’s your view then I share it. I’m as fine with it as I’m fine with fox-man and his doppledanger batman using violence to stop crime so long as it’s inflicted on me.